“Marianismo” Encyclopedia Entry

“Marianismo” Encyclopedia Entry

Oboler, Suzanne and Deena J. González, Editors-in-Chief.

The Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in the United States, Vol. 3, (New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 2005).

Viewed by some as the feminine companion to machismo, which is a distinctive form and practice of masculinity evident in Latino communities and derived from Spanish, Arabic, and Roman roots, marianismo also has several origins and takes many forms. In one feminized version, it offers women a place within the Catholic and Christian hierarchy because its name stems from the veneration of the Virgin Mary, the figure Catholics believe was the mother of God. In this context, marian devotions form an important part of the ritual and liturgy of Roman Catholicism. In another aspect, marianismo embodies a distinctive set of humbling character traits that traditional Latinas are supposed to exhibit, from piety to submission and shame. Finally, marianismo defines for Latinas distinctive social and cultural roles in society based on separate and complimentary spheres. For men, authority and esteem are vested in virility. For women, power derives primarily from marriage or motherhood, or perhaps both, under traditional marianismo. The awe with which women's ability to give birth is held would be an example of the traditionalism that marianismo assigns women's social status.